JP2006190088A - Information processor and controlling method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a convenient user interface by presenting a composite function obtained by combining functions of apparatuses connected to each other so that a user can instruct easily. <P>SOLUTION: This information processor is provided with: a function information obtaining means for obtaining function information of the plurality of apparatuses connected to a network; a sorting means for sorting the function information obtained by the function information obtaining means with a function unit decided in advance; a composite function generation means for taking out the function information sorted by each function and generating a task object for carrying out processing by the plurality of apparatuses based on the taken out function information; and a presenting means for presenting the task object generated by the composite function generation means. Based on a task object instructed by the user among the task objects presented by the presenting means, the information processor corresponds to an apparatus to carry out a task included in the task object. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that uses a function of each device in combination among a plurality of devices connected to each other, a control method thereof, and a recording medium on which the control method is recorded.

  For example, controlling a printer or a copier on a network from a host computer has been realized as a function of operating functions of other devices connected from the information processing apparatus. This is performed using a dedicated application installed in the host computer. However, in such a conventional technology, when using a composite function in which two or more devices on a network are linked, it is assumed that the user understands the function and setting of each device in advance. It was.

  In order to solve these problems, a network system and an integrated interface specification for acquiring device information based on a predefined function unit via the Internet and searching for and presenting a device suitable for the conditions specified by the user There is.

Also disclosed is a technique for setting and executing a composite function by displaying a system configuration as an icon based on information acquired from a connected device and instructing it in combination. (See Patent Document 1)
JP 2000-293467 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, a condition input by a user is required, and a user who has knowledge about each device is assumed.

  In addition, when using multiple functions, if each device has a single function, it could be considered as a device = function, but if it has multiple functions, more complicated instruction operations will be required. There's a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a single function and a composite that can be executed at the time of user operation based on a combination of functions of devices connected to a network. Presenting the function to the user. Also, at that time, it is to display in an easy-to-understand manner so that the user can easily understand and instruct even if the user does not have knowledge about the function of the device and unique settings.

  In order to solve these problems, the present invention provides a function information acquisition unit that acquires function information of a plurality of devices connected to a network, and a function in which the function information acquired by the function information acquisition unit is determined in advance. Classifying means for classifying by unit, and at most one piece of function information classified for each function is extracted, and a task object for causing the plurality of devices to execute processing is generated based on the extracted function information A task included in the task object based on a task object instructed by a user out of the task objects presented by the presenting means; a presenting means for presenting the task object generated by the generating means; Having an output means for outputting a function execution instruction to the execution target device. To provide an information processing apparatus according to claim.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the operativity in cooperation operation of several apparatuses can be improved by combining with the function of the apparatus connected to the network, and showing a user the function which can be performed at the time of user operation.

  The “task” described in the present embodiment refers to a batch processing unit of one or a plurality of functions on a network device operating in cooperation with a user instruction.

  The “task object” is a name given to the data combining the tasks, and is referred to when displaying a menu or outputting a command for the execution target device of each task based on the name. Is. A detailed description is given below under this definition.

  First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the network system of this embodiment has a configuration in which an information processing apparatus 101, a scanner 102, a printer 103, a digital copying machine 104, an application server 105, and a digital camera 106 are connected to a network 107 such as a LAN. Yes.

  Note that the present embodiment is not limited to the illustrated configuration. For example, the information processing apparatus may be configured integrally with another device, or the connection between the device and the network may be wireless. Good.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the information processing apparatus 101 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, a display unit 201, an instruction unit 202, a CPU 205, a memory 206, and a network interface unit 203 are connected through a bus 204. The CPU 205 controls each part. Further, the CPU 205 includes a function information acquisition unit 208, a composite function generation, which is a function realized by software when the CPU 205 performs an operation process based on an application program stored in the memory 206 that can read and write network data. Part 209. A function (a task object to be described later) generated by the composite function generation unit 207 is presented to the user by the display unit 201, and when a selection instruction is given by the instruction unit 202, a function execution instruction output by the CPU 205 is transmitted to the network interface unit. It is transmitted to other connected devices through 203.

  The information processing apparatus 101 is connected to the network 107 via the network interface unit 204, and input / output of data not on the memory 206 and transmission / reception of function execution commands to other devices are exchanged via the network interface unit 203. .

  Note that the present embodiment is not limited to the illustrated configuration, and for example, the display unit 201 and the instruction unit 202 may be integrally configured as a touch panel. Further, it may be built in the apparatus main body. In this case, for example, when incorporated in the digital copying machine 104, the display unit 201 is an operation panel, and the instruction unit 202 is an operation panel that also serves as operation keys and a touch panel.

  FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which a digital device acquires a function from another digital device connected via a network, generates a task, presents it to the user, and executes a process selected by the user. An operation processing flowchart is shown.

  In S302 of FIG. 3, when the network interface unit 207 detects connection of another device while the information processing apparatus 101 is activated (in the case of “No” in S301), the function of the information processing apparatus of FIG. The information acquisition unit 207 acquires function information of the detected device.

  In step S <b> 304, the composite function generation unit 208 executes composite function generation processing. Specifically, a task object is generated based on the acquired function information, hierarchized, and a menu for presenting the task object on the display screen of the display unit 201 is generated.

  The menu is associated with a menu name or an icon displayed on the user interface screen. In step S305, display update processing is executed. Specifically, a user interface screen corresponding to the function of the device currently connected on the network is provided on the display unit 201.

  Next, in S306, when an instruction for a task editing operation is received as an input by a user operation, the process proceeds to S312 to start a task editing process, display a task editing screen, perform a predetermined process, and return to the process of S305. In S301, the system is terminated when an instruction to terminate the system is received.

  In S306, if the input by the user operation is not an instruction for the task editing operation, the process proceeds to S307, and if the input by the user operation is a task instruction after determining the operation input content, the process proceeds to S308. In S308, it is determined whether or not the input data to be processed by the task has already been specified. If the input data has not been specified, the process proceeds to S309 to display a data selection screen and wait until the user selects data. . On the other hand, if it is determined in S308 that data has been designated, the process proceeds to S310. In S310, a device setting process for setting a device to be executed by the task is executed. In step S306, a function execution processing instruction for executing a task included in the designated task object is sequentially output to each execution target device.

  For example, if the task is to instruct the digital camera 106 to display the data designated in S308 through the operation panel of the digital copying machine 104, the data can be scanned or acquired from the network and displayed on the digital camera. An instruction to save and transmit in the data format is transmitted to the digital copying machine 104. When the process is completed, the process returns to S306.

  FIG. 9 is an operation process flowchart of the information processing apparatus 101 showing the function information acquisition process in S303 of FIG.

  In FIG. 9, first, in S901, the function information of the device currently detected is acquired. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the digital copier 104 receives function information 104a (for example, a scanner function, a copy function, a print function, a data storage function, a stored data call function, a fax transmission function, an e-mail transmission function, Edit (merge) function) is acquired, and from the digital camera 106a, function information 106a (for example, shooting function, shooting image display function, shooting image list display function, shooting image saving function, shooting image deletion function, moving image) Shooting function, voice memo function). In step S902, a function object is generated based on the acquired function information and the function unit definition table. Subsequently, in step S903, the generated function object is referred to and associated device information is associated with each function object. The function object table 501 is generated and the process ends.

  Note that the functional unit definition table is a table in which, as shown in the functional unit definition table 403 in FIG. A function name and a function unit are described in association with each other. The function definition table referred to here may exist in the information processing apparatus 101 or in the connected device, but in the present embodiment, the function definition table exists in the information processing apparatus 101. And

  FIG. 10 is an operation process flowchart of the information processing apparatus 101 showing the composite function generation process in S304 of FIG.

  First, in step S1001, temp1, tmp2, and tmp3, which are temporary lists on the memory, are initialized. In step S1002, the function object in the function object table 501 generated in step S903 is referred to as a processing target. In step S1003, with reference to the functional unit classification table 401 shown in FIG. 4, the functional object in the functional object table 501 is used as a functional unit, and the “input” function for information, the “output” function for information, and the “processing” information. Categorize as one of the functions.

  If it is determined in S1004 that a certain function object is an “input” function of information, the process proceeds to S1005, and the function object is stacked on tmp1. Similarly, when it is determined in S1004 that a certain function object is an “output” function of information, it is stacked on tmp2 in S1006, and when a certain function object is determined as a “processing” function of information, S1007 is obtained. At tmp3. In step S1008, the function object classification target on the function object table 501 is advanced by one, and the process returns to step S1003.

  In S1003, when classification is completed for all the function objects in the function object table 501, the process proceeds to S1009 to search for an existing task object list in the memory, and when there is no existing task object list. , The process proceeds to S1010, a task object list is generated, a task object composed of all function objects, a task object composed of all combination patterns of tmp1, tmp2, and a task object composed of all combination patterns of tmp1, tmp2, tmp3, Add to the task object list. That is, at most one is extracted from each of tmp1, tmp2, and tmp3, and task objects are generated in the order of “input” function → “processing” function → “output” function as the processing order.

  In S1009, if there is an existing task object list, the process proceeds to S1011 and the task object consisting of all functional objects, the task object consisting of all the combination patterns of tmp1 and tmp2, and all the combinations of tmp1, tmp2, and tmp3 Of the task objects consisting of patterns, only the task objects that differ from the existing task object list are added to the task object list. An example of this task object list is shown at 502 in FIG.

  In step S1012, a task list 503 as shown in FIG. 5 is created with reference to the task object list. At that time, the classification “input”, “output”, and “processing” of each functional unit is the highest hierarchy, and each functional object “Scan”, “Retrieve”, etc. in the functional object table 501 is the next hierarchy. Then, each task object in each task object list 502 is distributed as a lower hierarchy of each functional object.

  As a way of distribution, the task object is distributed to all the functional objects included in each task object, which is a characteristic part of the present embodiment. For example, when the task object is “Scan & Merge / Bind & Print”, the task object “Scan & Merge / Bind & Print” is allocated to the lower hierarchy of the function objects “Scan”, “Merge / Bind”, “Print”.

  With reference to this hierarchical task list 503, a GUI (graphic user interface) such as a corresponding task menu or task icon is displayed on the display unit 201. An example of this is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 illustrates a screen state when the task menu is hierarchically displayed among the user interface screens displayed in the present embodiment as an example of the task presentation unit. Here, the task menu presented on the display screen is display data associated with the task object and existing on the memory.

  In FIG. 6, the task menu display screen is composed of a task category display 601 based on functional unit classification, an operation unit 602 for task selection / instruction, and an operation unit 603 for calling and displaying a lower hierarchy of the task. ing. A menu 604 is an example of a menu displayed when the operation unit 603 is instructed. The task object is arranged in each functional unit corresponding to the functional information included in the task object. In other words, when the task object is a composite of a plurality of function objects, the task object name is repeatedly arranged in the function unit classification corresponding to each function object.

  FIG. 11 is an operation process flowchart of the information processing apparatus 101 showing the S309 selection process of FIG. First, in S1101, a data selection screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. In S1102, when data is selected by a user operation, in S1103, a corresponding dialog is displayed to acquire necessary information, and the process ends.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a data selection screen presented to the user among the user interface screens displayed in the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, the data selection user interface screen 801 displays an icon indicating data stored somewhere on the network system of this embodiment in an area 8011.

  A screen 802 shows the state of the screen transitioned from 801 when one or more of the data is instructed by the user, and shows an example of a menu presentation method when data is specified. In 802, a menu 8021 is displayed in association with the data from the currently selected data, and the user can instruct execution of a task with the data as an operation target by instructing the item.

  For example, when the task “Scan & Print” is instructed from the menu 604 shown in FIG. 6, it is determined in S308 that the user needs to select data to be “Scan”, and then in S309. A user interface for selecting data to be processed as shown in FIG. 8 is presented.

  FIG. 12 is an operation processing flowchart of the information processing apparatus 101 showing the S310 constant processing of FIG. First, in S1201, a task object existing in the task object list 502 is read from the top, and a function object included in the read task object is acquired. Next, in S1202, when there is a function object classified as an output function or a processing function in addition to the input function in the task object, the process proceeds to S1203, and the function object table 501 shown in FIG. Acquire executable device information. For example, among the task objects “Scan & Print”, “Print” is classified as an “output” function, so in S1203, device information corresponding to “Print” is acquired from the function object table.

  Next, in S1204, when it is determined that there are a plurality of devices that can be executed from the device information, the process proceeds to S1206, a list of currently selectable devices as shown in FIG. When the device is determined by the instruction, the process is terminated and the process proceeds to S1206.

  If there is a single executable device in S1204, or if an execution target device is determined in S1205, it is determined in S1206 whether there is a device-specific setting. If there is, a dialog display is displayed in S1207. Starts the process and displays a necessary dialog to prompt the user to input. When the dialog display process is terminated by a user operation, the process proceeds to S1208. For example, since the only device corresponding to “Print” is the digital copying machine 104, the processing in S1205 is omitted, and in S1206, settings unique to the digital copying machine 104 are required. Displays a settings dialog and prompts the user for input.

  When the next functional object is acquired in S1208, the processing returns to S1202, and the processing from S1203 is repeated until the setting for each functional object is completed. In S1202, when there is no function object, the process is terminated.

  In the processing of FIG. 12, for example, if the information processing apparatus 101 main body operated by the user is configured integrally with a digital copying machine equipped with a printer, the “Print” function target The device is an integrated digital copier, and it may be determined that the user does not need to select the target device as obvious.

  As another example, an information processing apparatus operated by a user is configured integrally with a digital copying machine equipped with a scanner, and a document is placed on the scanner when the instruction is given. Can be given.

  Now, a specific user operation flow will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that a plurality of digital devices are connected by a network as the network system of the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the digital copier 104 has function information (for example, a scanner function, a copy function, a print function, a data storage function, a stored data calling function, a fax transmission function, an e- A mail transmission function and an edit (merge) function are provided, and can be referred to from a connected device.Function information may be written in a memory in advance in the digital copying machine 104, or may be a definition file. It may be stored in the form of

  Further, in the digital copying machine 104 main body, even when no data exists in the form of function information, the other connected device refers to the function of the digital copying machine 104 and acquires necessary function information. It is technically possible. It is assumed that function information is similarly provided for each device in FIG.

  When each device is connected to the network, other devices are detected between the devices connected to the network in S302, and the function information of the device is acquired by the function information acquisition unit 208 in S303, and then continues. In S304, a task object is generated by the composite function generation unit 209 based on the acquired function information. The processing by the function information acquisition unit 208 and the composite function generation unit 209 is processed by each device when the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is built in or connected to each digital device in advance. .

  For devices to which the function according to the present invention is not applied, the function information is obtained by referring to other devices and only the received function command is executed. Since the relationship between the computer and peripheral devices is the same, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Subsequently, the subsequent processing will be specifically described by taking the digital copying machine 104 as an example.

  In step S303, when the function information acquisition unit 208 acquires the function information of each device, a function object table as indicated by reference numeral 501 in FIG.

  Next, when the composite function generation unit is activated in S304, the composite function generation unit 209 generates a task object with reference to the function object table in S1001, and a task object list as shown by 502 in FIG. 5 is stored in the memory. Further, in step S1012, the composite function generation unit 209 refers to the task object list and generates a task list having a hierarchical structure as indicated by reference numeral 503.

  In step S <b> 305, the CPU 205 refers to the hierarchical task list 503, and among the data stored in the memory 206, a GUI (graphic user interface) such as a task menu or a task icon corresponding to the task list. Is displayed on the display unit 201, and an operation screen as shown in FIG. 6 is presented to the user.

  When an operation screen such as 601 in FIG. 6 is displayed on the screen of the display unit 201 that is the operation panel of the digital copying machine 104, when the user instructs the operation unit 603, a menu as shown in 604 is displayed. When the user selects and decides one of the menus 604, an input signal is sent to the CPU 205, and a task instruction operation is determined in S307.

  If the user selects [Print] on the operation unit 603 and [>> Shot / Rec & Print] on the menu 604, the CPU 205 determines a task object Shot / Rec & Print based on a task instruction by the user operation. . In step S308, the CPU 205 determines whether the data to be executed by the task has already been specified. Here, the current task object is Shot / Rec & Print, and the data is captured and generated by the digital camera 106. Therefore, it is determined in S308 that the data has been specified, and the device setting means is activated in S310.

  Next, based on the task object Shot / Rec & Print currently selected in the processing from S1201 onward, the CPU 205 determines and sets the device to be executed by the task based on the device information acquired by the function information acquisition unit 208. To do.

  In S1204, the digital camera 106 corresponds to the executable device for the Shot / Rec, and similarly, the digital copier 104 currently operated by the user and the printer 103 correspond to the executable device for the Print. However, as a result of determining the optimum output destination for the input image generated by the digital camera 106 from the acquired device information, the digital copying machine 104 is set.

  In step S <b> 306, a function execution instruction for executing all the tasks included in the task object Shot / Rec & Print output by the CPU 205 is transmitted to the digital camera 106 and the digital copying machine 104 through the network I / F unit 203. Is done.

  As a result, the imaging function is executed by the digital camera 106, and the printing function is executed by the digital copying machine 104 using the image generated thereby as input data. That is, the user can operate the digital copying machine 104 to print an image photographed by operating the digital camera 106 connected via the network from the digital copying machine 104.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to present the functions that can be executed at the time of the user operation so that the user can easily instruct by combining the functions of the devices connected to the network. Thereby, an easy-to-use user interface can be provided, and the operability in the cooperative operation of a plurality of devices can be improved.

  As a still further effect, in the menu presentation method, according to the data configuration based on the classification in the present invention, it is possible to present any function among all the functions constituting one task. In other words, as a result, the user can easily find a task for executing a desired function from the viewpoint of either an information input function, an information output function, or an information processing function, and instructs a desired process. Easy to do. Furthermore, the task presented to the user at that time is allowed to be duplicated, but internally this is realized by referring to one task object, so a plurality of duplicate menus are stored in the memory in advance. There is also an effect that it is not necessary to have it.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network system by embodiment based on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information processing apparatus in embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of information processing apparatus in embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional information acquired in embodiment which concerns on this invention, the functional unit classification referred to, and a functional unit definition. It is a figure which shows an example of the function object produced | generated in embodiment which concerns on this invention, a task object, and a task list. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface screen displayed in embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface for object apparatus selection shown in embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface for data selection shown in embodiment which concerns on this invention. The function information acquisition process flowchart in embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of the composite function production | generation process in embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of the data selection process in embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of the apparatus setting process in embodiment which concerns on this invention.

Claims (7)

Function information acquisition means for acquiring function information of a plurality of devices connected to the network;
Classifying means for classifying the function information acquired by the function information acquiring means by a predetermined function unit;
Combined function generation means for extracting at most one piece of function information classified for each function and generating a task object for executing processing in the plurality of devices based on the extracted function information;
Presenting means for presenting the task object generated by the composite function generating means,
A function execution instruction that outputs an execution instruction of a function corresponding to a task execution target device included in the task object based on a task object designated by a user among task objects presented by the presenting unit. An information processing apparatus that outputs the information.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the composite function generation unit generates a task object based on a predetermined processing order of the functional units.   The composite function generation means is composed of a single function classified by the unit of information input function, information processing function, information output function and composite function thereof, and includes information input function, information processing function, information The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a task object processed in the order of output functions is generated.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the presenting unit presents the task object by arranging the task object in a function unit corresponding to the function information included in the task object. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus connected to a network,
A function information acquisition step of acquiring function information of a plurality of devices connected to the network;
A classification step of classifying the acquired function information by a predetermined function unit;
Generating at most one piece of function information classified for each function, and generating a task object for executing processing in the plurality of devices based on the extracted function information;
A presenting step of presenting the generated task object;
An output step of outputting a function execution instruction to a task execution target device included in the task object based on a task object designated by a user among the presented task objects. Control method for information processing apparatus.   A program for executing the control method according to claim 5. A storage medium storing the program according to claim 6.

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